United call off Malaysian friendly

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LONDON, England -- Premier League champions Manchester United have scrapped plans to play a match in Malaysia as part of their Far East tour this summer.

United had been invited to play in Kuala Lumpur on July 27 by the Malaysian government as part of the country's 50th anniversary celebrations.

But confirmation of their visit drew an instant attack from the Asian Football Confederation, who felt United's presence would underimine interest in the Asia Cup, for which Malaysia are one of four co-hosts.

With FIFA president Sepp Blatter lending his weight to the AFC's argument, United chief executive David Gill flew out to Kuala Lumpur last week in an attempt to resolve the impasse.

He discovered that United could not play in Malaysia without the AFC's permission, something they were previously unaware of.

Further negotiations have since taken place but with the AFC determinedly sticking to their stance, United have now bowed to the inevitable, a decision which is sure to upset their thousands of fans in the region.

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